[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[May 20, 1998]
[Pages 816-817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Senate Returning Without Approval Legislation on Public 
Education in the District of Columbia
May 20, 1998

To the Senate of the United States:
    I am returning herewith without my approval S. 1502, the ``District 
of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 1998.''
    If we are to prepare our children for the 21st Century by providing 
them with the best education in the world, we must strengthen our public 
schools, not abandon them. My agenda for accomplishing this includes 
raising academic standards; strengthening accountability; providing more 
public school choice, including public charter schools; and providing 
additional help to students who need it through tutors, mentors, and 
after-school programs. My education agenda also calls for reducing class 
size, modernizing our schools and linking them to the Internet, making 
our schools safe by removing guns and drugs, and instilling greater 
discipline.
    This bill would create a program of federally funded vouchers that 
would divert critical Federal resources to private schools instead of 
investing in fundamental improvements in public schools. The voucher 
program established by S. 1502 would pay for a few selected students to 
attend private schools, with little or no public accountability for how 
those funds are used, and

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would draw resources and attention away from the essential work of 
reforming the public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of the 
District's students. In short, S. 1502 would do nothing to improve 
public education in the District of Columbia. The bill won't hire one 
new teacher, purchase one more computer, or open one after-school 
program.
    Although I appreciate the interest of the Congress in the 
educational needs of the children in our Nation's Capital, this bill is 
fundamentally misguided and a disservice to those children.
    The way to improve education for all our children is to increase 
standards, accountability, and choice within the public schools. I urge 
the Congress to send me legislation I have proposed to reduce class 
size, modernize our schools, end social promotions, raise academic 
standards for all students, and hold school systems, schools, and staff 
accountable for results.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

May 20, 1998.